Andy Hessenthaler not ruling out Adam Birchall return before end of season

Andy Hessenthaler remains optimistic that striker Adam Birchall
can see action this season despite scepticism from the player.

Birchall visited a specialist on Monday and posted a Facebook
message saying that his hopes of a return by the end of the season
were at an end.

He said: "Won’t be playing again this season can’t believe it. I
am so frustrated but if the knee is not ready then it’s out of my
hands."

Birchall has been out since pre-season, just days after signing
from Dover, when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.

But Gills boss Hessenthaler is still hoping Birchall can play
some part of the campaign.

Hessenthaler said: "I got a text to say he had been up there and
there was concern over some soreness around the stitching, where he
had the operation, and they are going to have another MRI scan to
determine what the problem is, if there is a problem.

"It might just be scar tissue that needs breaking down. That was
the message I got. For him to say he will be out for the season
isn’t something he should be saying.

"He shouldn’t be putting those things on Facebook.

"Deep down I thought he may be out for the season but you don’t
come out and say it. That should be coming form the medical team if
that’s the case. It’s come from him and I will have words with him
because I am not happy.

"He will get a rap on the wrists because he shouldn’t be giving
out information on his Facebook that the manager or the chairman
don’t even know about and maybe not all of the medical team."